2023 Annual Award Recipients

Arkansas Bar Foundation President

Edward T. Oglesby

Arkansas Judicial Council President Judge Mackie Pierce

Outstanding Jurist Award

Chief U.S. District Judge

D. P. Marshall, Jr. Chief Judge Marshall was presented the award in recognition of exceptional competency, efficiency and integrity on the Bench and exemplary service to the administration of justice.

The Arkansas Bar Association held its 125th Annual Meeting June 14-16, 2023, in Hot Springs. For 35 years, the Association has held its Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Judicial Council. For 63 years, the Arkansas Bar Foundation and Arkansas Bar Association have enjoyed a rich history of meeting as a collaborative committee to provide joint awards for outstanding contributions to the Bar. This year's joint awards were presented during the 125th Anniversary Celebration on June 14, 2023.

Outstanding Lawyer Award

Donald H. Bacon

Donald H. Bacon, Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP, in Little Rock was presented the award in recognition of excellence in the practice of law and outstanding contributions to the profession.

Outstanding Local Bar Associations: Craighead County Bar Association Pulaski County Bar Association Sebastian County Bar Association

Bob Edwards, The Edwards Law Firm, Little Rock, for work as Sponsorship Committee Chair

Jamie H. Jones, Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP, Little Rock, for work as Member Value Task Force Chair

Brian M. Rosenthal, Rose Law Firm, Little Rock, for work on the Arkansas Bar Association Legal Hall of Fame

Aaron L. Squyres, Wilson Law Group, Little Rock, for work on the Program Review Task Force

Leslie Copeland, Leslie Copeland Law & Mediation, Fayetteville, for work as Family Law Section Chair

Brent J. Eubanks, Law Clerk, Pulaski County Circuit Court, Thirteenth Division, for work as ArkBar PAC Chair

Tim J. Cullen, Cullen & Co., Little Rock, for work as Governance

Drafting

Committee Chair

Sarah C. Jewell, McMath Woods P.A., Fayetteville, for work as Chief Engagement Officer

Christopher A. McNulty, Rose Law Firm, Little Rock, for work as Annual Meeting Co-Chair

Molly McNulty, Law Clerk to the Honorable Raymond Abramson, Arkansas Court of Appeals, for work as Annual Meeting Co-Chair

George M. Rozzell, Miller, Butler, Schneider, Pawlik & Rozzell, PLLC, Fayetteville, for work as Legislation Committee Chair

Caroline Kelley, Mitchell Williams Law Firm, Rogers, for outstanding contributions to improve the administration of justice and promote the public welfare on behalf of the Young Lawyers Section

Cara Butler, Mitchell Williams Law Firm, Little Rock, for the article "Emotional Support Animals and Access to Public Facilities"

Allan Gates, Mitchell Williams Law Firm, Little Rock, for the article "Emotional Support Animals and Access to Public Facilities"

Elizabeth James, James & Streit, Searcy, for the article "Judicial Disqualification Standard Pre-Ferguson, the Standard Post-Ferguson"

Jonathan Streit, James & Streit, Searcy, for the article "Judicial Disqualification Standard Pre-Ferguson, the Standard Post-Ferguson"

Ledley S. Jennings, L. Jennings Law PLLC, Little Rock and Magnolia, for organizing the YLS Social in Magnolia

Frank LaPorteJenner, Pulaski County Attorney’s Office, for organizing the YLS Mid Year 2.0 Social

Caroline Kelley, Mitchell Williams Law Firm, Rogers, for work on the Wills for Heroes Event

Michael H. Crawford, of Hot Springs, began his term as President of the Arkansas Bar Foundation Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 bar year following the Annual Foundation Meeting. He earned his B.S. Degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and his Juris Doctorate from the UALR Bowen School of Law in Little Rock. Michael founded The Crawford Law Firm in 1990.

Michael has been a Fellow of the Arkansas Bar Foundation since 1989 and is a Sustaining Fellow. He has served the Foundation on the Board of Directors, as Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-President of the Board, as Chair of the Special Projects Committee and currently as a member of the Trust, Annual Awards and Development Committees. He is a Past President of the Garland County Bar Association and Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, and former Chair of the Arkansas Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Section. Michael has been an active leader and volunteer in Boy Scouts of America, Hot Springs Boys and Girls Club, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program.

Memorials and Honoraria

The Arkansas Bar Foundation acknowledges with grateful appreciation the receipt of the following memorial, honoraria and scholarship contributions received during the period April 15, 2023, through July 15, 2023.

In MeMory of JustIce W. H. (Dub) ArnolD

Judges Wayne and Rita Gruber

In MeMory of WIllIAM brIDgfortH

Don A. Eilbott

Hyden, Miron & Foster, PLLC

Jeffrey and Lester McKinley

Barbara and Jeff Pence

Charles D. Roscopf

In MeMory of rAlpH cloAr

Jennifer and Randy Coleman

In MeMory of JoHn A. “JAck” DAvIs

DesIgnAteD to tHe JoHn A. “JAck” DAvIs scHolArsHIp funD

Jack A. McNulty

In MeMory of JustIce robert “bob” DuDley

Justice

Michael R. Gott

David and Carolyn Newbern

In MeMory of JustIce J. frAnk Holt

DesIgnAteD to tHe JustIces frAnk AnD JAck Holt scHolArsHIp funD

Kim Foust Brunell

Judges Wayne and Rita Gruber

Dorothy and Dan Jones

Justice Annabelle Imber Tuck

In MeMory of pHIlIp e. kAplAn

Donis B. Hamilton

Rosalind and Kirby Mouser

David M. Powell

Hayden and Gordon S. Rather, Jr.

Brian Rosenthal

Carole Shermann

Judge Bill Wilson and Judge Cathi Compton

In MeMory of JuDge MIke kInArD

Betty Lou and Frank Hamlin

In MeMory of JuDge JAck lessenberry

Judges Wayne and Rita Gruber

Justice Annabelle Imber Tuck

In MeMory of MArIAnne Wynne lIgon

John L. Rush

In MeMory of ronAlD A. MAy

David M. Powell

In MeMory of JuDge russell rogers

Jennifer and Randy Coleman

In MeMory of Herb rule

Judges Wayne and Rita Gruber

John L. Rush

In MeMory of JAMes M. sIMpson, Jr.

Judges Wayne and Rita Gruber

Cheryl and Mark Nichols

In MeMory of JuDge JoHn f. strouD, Jr.

John L. Rush

In MeMory of JoHn broDIe tHurMAn, Jr. Judges Wayne and Rita Gruber

In MeMory of JuDge rIce lee vAn AusDAll

Michael R. Gott

Donis B. Hamilton

Sally and Jim McLarty

In MeMory of JustIce robIn Wynne

Brian Rosenthal

Rex M. Terry

Arkansas Bar Foundation Grant Applications for Law-related Projects

Deadline: Friday, October 6, 2023

Please contact Ann Pyle to request an application apyle@arkansasbarfoundation.com

William Cecil “Bill” Bridgforth of Pine Bluff died May 11, 2023, at the age of 82. Bill attended Washington and Lee University and graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1964. Following graduation, Bill moved to Pine Bluff where he joined the law firm of Coleman, Gantt, Ramsay & Cox. Bill practiced law with the law firm for 59 years, the last 30 of which were with Shane and David. In 2005, he was awarded the C.E. Ransick Award by the Arkansas Bar Association for his dedicated service to the practice of law.

Judge Barbara Ann Griffin of Newport died April 4, 2023. Judge Griffin graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School. In 2005, Judge Griffin became the first African American and the first woman elected to the district judge position in Jackson County, a position she held for 16 years. She previously worked for Legal Aid of Northeast Arkansas and continued to work pro bono for those who needed her in her community until her passing. She was honored to have been selected for inclusion in the Top Attorneys of North America-2016 edition by the Who’s Who Directories.

Philip Kaplan of Little Rock died on June 23, 2023, at the age of 85. A lifelong learner and educator, Phil graduated from Harvard College in 1959 as well as University of Michigan Law School and taught both law school and friends as a teacher and student through his affiliation with LifeQuest of Arkansas. Following his true calling as a civil rights attorney and social activist, the family moved to Little Rock in 1967 where he founded the state’s first integrated law firm with partners Richard Mays and John Walker. He later founded Kaplan, Brewer & Maxey with partners and friends Joann Maxey and Silas Brewer. Phil was recognized as one of the state’s best trial attorneys as documented by a front cover story in Super Lawyers magazine.

Letty McAdams of Dallas, Texas, died on May 21, 2023, at the age of 75. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1969 and earned a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law in 1978.

John Lawrence Rush of Pine Bluff died July 15, 2023, at the age of 88. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas Law School. He served in the United States Army for six months and the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard. He served as president of the Simmons First National Trust Company for over 30 years until his retirement in December 1999.

John Brodie Thurman Jr. of North Little Rock died April 29, 2023, at the age of 88. He graduated Hendrix College and Vanderbilt University, where he earned his law degree. In 1958, John returned to North Little Rock where he embarked on a career as a lawyer that spanned over 50 years.

Rice Lee VanAusdall of Harrisburg died on May 19, 2023, at the age of 88. Rice attended Arkansas State University. Rice was an officer in the United

States Army where he served three years on active duty as a paratrooper, pathfinder, and Army Ranger in the 101st Airborne. Upon his return to civilian life, Rice attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, graduating first in his class a semester early. In 1963, after law school, Carlena and he moved to Harrisburg to be near her family. Rice was admitted to the bar and began a successful 24-year private legal practice. In 1987, Rice’s love for the law led him to run for Chancery Judge. Rice retired from the bench at 74 after 22 years of service.

Ricky Everett Watson of Harrison died Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the age of 60. A graduate of Huntsville High School, Rick obtained his law degree in 1994 and founded Watson Law Firm in Harrison, with his wife, Mercedes. He was a member of the Arkansas Bar Association and the Masonic Lodge.

Justice Robin French Wynne of Little Rock died on June 21, 2023, at the age of 70. Justice Wynne was first elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2014 and re-elected in 2022 for another 8-year term. Following his graduation from Fordyce High School, he earned his degree in history from Harvard University in 1975, graduating cum laude. He received his juris doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. He also attended Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. Justice Wynne’s legal career was grounded in his early work as a partner of the Wynne and Wynne Law Firm, and he served as Fordyce City Attorney, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District, Dallas County District Judge, Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge District 5, and as a Justice for the Arkansas Supreme Court. He also served two terms as an Arkansas state representative.

The information contained herein is provided from the members’ obituaries.

Attorney Disciplinary Actions

Final actions from April 1, 2023 –June 30, 2023, by the Committee on Professional Conduct. Summaries prepared by the Office of Professional Conduct (OPC). Full text documents are available online at http://www.arcourts. gov by entering the attorney’s name in the attorney locater feature under the “Directories” link on the home page.

SUSPENSION:

REFERRED TO DISBARMENT:

MUSGRAVES, ZACHARY ADAM, of Fayetteville, ABN: 2018201, in Committee Case No. CPC-2022-018, on a complaint before the Committee, by Findings & Order filed May 9, 2023, for violation of AR Rule 8.4(b), was referred on May 9, 2023, to disbarment proceedings to be initiated by OPC if Musgraves does not first surrender his law license.

SUSPENSION:

LANGLEY, MICHAEL WILLIAMS, of Little Rock, ABN: 94010, in Committee Case No. CPC-2022-035, on a complaint by Jason Polk, by Findings & Order filed May 5, 2023, was SUSPENDED for six months, followed by 18 months’ probation, ordered to pay a fine of $1,000.00, and assessed costs of $150.00 for violations of AR Rules 1.4(a)(2), 1.4(a)(3), 1.6(a), and 1.7(a). Langley failed to communicate with his client and simultaneously represented another client in direct competition to the client Langley already represented.

INTERIM SUSPENSION:

HARRELL, CALVIN FRANCIS, III, of Jonesboro, ABN: 2017187, in Committee Case No. CPC-2023-008, on a petition before the Committee, by Order of Interim Suspension issued May 11, 2023, was placed on Interim Suspension for allegations of criminal conduct, detailed in Craighead County court records, that posed a substantial threat of serious harm to the public and to his clients.

TAGGART, MAURICE, of Pine Bluff, ABN: 2021042, in Committee Case No. CPC-2023-016, on a petition before

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INTERESTED? EMAIL US! INFO@PUBLICNOTICEAGENCY.COM OR BY PHONE (501) 823-9002 the Committee, by Order of Interim Suspension issued June 8, 2023, was placed on Interim Suspension for allegations of criminal conduct, detailed in a felony information in Jefferson County Circuit Court, that posed a substantial threat of serious harm to the public and to his clients.

REPRIMAND:

SKINNER, MARY ELIZABETH, of Stuttgart, ABN: 2003178, in Committee Case No. CPC-2022-034, on a complaint by Nathan Ray Blankenship, by Findings & Order filed April 10, 2023, was REPRIMANDED, ordered to pay a fine of $2,000.00, and assessed costs of $150.00, for violations of AR Rules 1.1, 1.3, and 8.4(d). Skinner failed to diligently and competently represent her client, to the irreversible detriment of the client’s interests. ■

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